Research is one of the cornerstones of the Alzheimer’s Association and its vision for a world without Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer's Association has been involved in every major advancement in Alzheimer's and related dementias research since the 1980's and is a leader in the global fight for a world without Alzheimer's.

Local doctors

In 2013, the Alzheimer's Association International Research Grant Program awarded approximately $6 million in funding to 33 scientific investigations to date. These 33 funded projects represent proposals ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 161 applications. Since 1982, the Alzheimer's Association has committed over $305 million to more than 2,150 scientific investigations.

In the Greater Illinois Chapter’s area, Robert Vassar, Ph.D., a professor of cell and molecular biology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, was awarded a 2013 Zenith Fellows Award. For the submitted proposal, Identifying novel BACE1 substrates and interacting proteins in the brain, Vassar will receive $450,000 over the course of three years.

Conferences

There are currently no conferences being offered. Please check back soon.

TrialMatch

Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer's, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current studies. Our continuously updated database of more than 130 Alzheimer's clinical trials include both pharmacological (drug) and non-pharmacological (non-drug) studies being conducted at nearly 500 trial sites across the country.

People with Alzheimer's, caregivers and healthy volunteers are all needed today to participate in Alzheimer's and dementia research.

Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee

The Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter’s Board of Directors. The purpose of the group is to build a network of multidisciplinary medical and health care professionals to assist in furthering the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission: to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Group members seek to assist in the development of outreach programs to primary care physicians, neurologists and geriatricians; work to increase awareness of the value of clinical trials both to the medical community and the general public; and promote collaborative opportunities between the Association, health care providers, educational institutions and other organizations, among other objectives.